Animal bathing system

ABSTRACT

A bathing system is disclosed. The system includes a water supply line, an injectant supply line for supplying an injectant such as shampoo and conditioner, and an injector for combining the water and injectant and homogenizing the mixture. The system also includes a sprayer, which is connected to the outlet of the injector and is capable of producing a pulsating spray. Additional injectant supply line or lines can also be included. The injectant lines can be combined with a distribution manifold and in turn fed into the injector. In a preferred embodiment, the injector is of a differential pressure type. A bypass path and valve switch water directing to the sprayer for rinsing without mixing with injectant. The injector and sprayer are configured to produce a water-injectant mixture with a consistent mixing ratio over a wide range of water flow rates and pressures while providing pulsating action in either the wash or rinse cycle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. Utility patentapplication Ser. No. 10/165,020, filed Jun. 7, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No.7,032,840, issued on Apr. 25, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/296,831 filed Jun. 8,2001, both of whichare hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

Various embodiments of the present invention relate generally to ananimal bathing system and more particularly to a bathing system having aplurality of storage bottles.

BACKGROUND

Animals are conventionally washed by hand. This requires the applicationof water, cleaning and conditioning agents and is a highly laborintensive operation. The result is that hand washing is slow, laborious,and does not produce uniform results, since neither thorough washing northorough rinsing can be assured.

Several devices have been created to assist with animal washing. Somepre-existing devices utilize water re-circulation, while other devicesuse water on a once-through basis. Yet other devices use a selectorvalve or valves permitting the selection among various products formixing (with water) and dispensing of only one product at a time.

Early animal bathing systems used a sump pump or bilge-type in the tubto re-circulate and reuse mixed product while bathing an animal. Thesump pump was placed over the drain in the tub. The tub was filled withsome water. Shampoo or conditioner product was poured in the tub nearthe sump pump. The pump was then activated to pump the resulting mixturethrough a hose and onto the animal. Some professionals don't care toreuse product in this fashion out of the belief that they will beputting dirty water back on the animal, re-circulating the mixture. Yet,others remain ingrained to this type of operation out of the belief thatsuch operation dramatically saves shampoo and conditioner productconsumption.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an animal bathingsystem includes a plurality of bottles, each bottle connected to acontrol valve that allows injectant flow from each bottle to beindependently opened or closed. The inputs of a distribution manifoldare connected to each control valve. The output of the distributionmanifold is connected to the injectant input of an injector. The primaryinput of the injector is connected to a variable temperature and flowwater source. A bypass valve is connected between the primary input andthe output of the injector. A low-pressure hand held pulsating sprayunit is connected to the output of the injector.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an animal bathing systemuses an injector having a substantially constant mixture ratio over awide range of primary input pressure.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an animal bathing systemuses an injector having a substantially constant mixture ratio over awide range of primary input pressure, output back pressure, resultantmotive flow velocity, and injectant specific gravity, density,viscosity, and stickiness.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an animal bathing systemuses an agitator, such as a re-circulating pump, to stir the injectantin a bottle of an animal washing system.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an animal bathing systemthat uses a non-opaque bottle or other feature, such as a hollowindicator tube, that allows the user to ascertain whether adequateproduct is available for dispensing and the identity of the product.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an animal bathing systemuses water (and injectant) flow to induce rotary action through a seriesof gearing that rapidly and repetitively shuts off and turns back on thewater flow, giving rise to a pulsating water flow action.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an animal bathing system iscapable of using a variety of pumps, including linear, rotary,diaphragm, or peristaltic pumps.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an animal bathing systemuses flow meters to provide sensing for an electronic control systemgoverning pump speed and/or for calculating and displaying mixingratios.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an animal bathing system canbe electronically controlled.

Other features of embodiments of the present invention will be apparentfrom the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description thatfollows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an animal bathing system constructed in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2( a) depicts an animal bathing system constructed in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2( b) shows a portion of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2( a) in moredetail.

FIG. 2( c) shows an injectant re-circulation pump, step-down transformersupplying power to the re-circulating pump and injectant dispenser inwhich the re-circulating pump can be used according to one aspect of theinvention.

FIG. 3( a) is a simplified schematic block diagram depicting anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3( b) is a more detailed schematic block diagram depicting anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 schematically depicts the differential pressure injector and theprinciple of its operation in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 depicts a cross-section of a differential pressure injector inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The preferred embodiment of the present invention uses an industrialdifferential pressure injector of the Bernoulli type (often called aventuri or siphon mixer) to create a vacuum upon various sources ofshampoo and conditioner products (injectants) so to draw from storagebottles and aggressively mix the products with the water (motive liquid)inducing the vacuum. The resulting mixture is dispensed directly upon ananimal to be bathed. An injector bypass valve allows rinse water to bedispensed.

FIG. 1 shows a bathing system integrated into the topmost (called a“wedge” or “blender shelf”, in which the various plumbing components aremounted) of three shelves configured as a set of free-standing shelving.Dispensers (e.g., nine injectant dispensing bottles 102) holding variousshampoos and conditioners (injectants) are supported near eye level,each having its own Injectant On/Off Control Valve 104 attached to andintegrated with the bottle. Inside the leftmost bottle, an internalre-circulating pump 106 can be seen. Some of the bottles are shown withoptional needle valves 108 installed in-line with flexible tubing 112and having integrated quick disconnects 110 (see also FIG. 2( b)).Flexible tubing 112 connects the bottles to the plumbing containedwithin the top shelf “wedge.” A plumbing “T” 114 is used in one case toallow expansion of capacity of the distribution manifold (not shown,located within the “wedge”) from 8 to 9 bottles. Integrated into tub 116are hot and cold water supply valves 118, providing the water source towhich the bathing system is plumbed through a water flow valve 120 andanti-siphon, backflow prevention check valve 122. A pair of flexiblehoses 130 convey water to the “wedge” from the tub location 116 and backto the tub location 116 from the “wedge.” Rinse water or injectant/watermix, as selected by Injector Bypass Valve 124, is supplied to the tub116 location, via one of the flexible hoses of the pair of flexiblehoses 130 and then to a flexible hose 126 and a specially manufacturedwater sprayer, which in one embodiment is represented by hand-heldshower spray head 128. The spray head 128 incorporates a set of waterdriven mechanics that induce a pulsating action to both thewater/injectant stream and rinse water. The remaining two shelves (belowthe “wedge”) provide miscellaneous storage space or space for additionalbottle subassemblies.

More than one “wedge” can be stacked into the shelving unit. Thisallows, for example, one set of shelving to support two tubs positionedside-by-side with independent bathing systems. Such shelving wouldsupport two “wedges” (plus up to two shelves for miscellaneous use),each supporting its respective set of bottle assemblies and supportingplumbing to each tub. In this fashion, each tub and connected bathingsystem would operate independent of the other, but take up no additionalfloor space than required by just one system. The two “wedges” couldface the same or opposite directions, whichever configuration best fitsthe adjacent side-by-side tub arrangement.

FIGS. 2( a) and 2(b), which illustrates the injectant dispensing systemin FIG. 2( a) in greater detail, show a bathing system installed via anoptional wall mount kit. Wall mounting offers the benefit of locatingthe entire bathing system, including injectant dispensing bottles 102,off the floor where limited floor space would otherwise not permitusage. As can be seen from FIG. 2( a), access to the system plumbingcontained within the “wedge” is available from either side of the“wedge” (compare to FIG. 1, which illustrates access from the leftside). This particular bathing system incorporates quick disconnects 210into the “wedge” for easy connection of individual bottle subassemblies.The leftmost two bottles have optional injectant re-circulating pumps106, which are not visible in FIG. 2( a) except for the electrical powerwires leading to their respective step-down transformers (220, out ofthe picture). Examples of a re-circulating pump 106, step-downtransformer 220, and injectant dispensing bottle 102 are shown in FIG.2( c).

Aside from free-standing and wall mount, and injectant mixing,dispensing and rinsing functions, the animal bathing system is designedto support five operating modes, all of which are illustrated in thesystem schematic block diagram (FIGS. 3( a) and 3(b)). The first ofthese is passive, requiring only water flow (pressure from the source ofwater) to power the entire system (no electrical power required) via anindustrial differential pressure injector of the Bernoulli type 310,which functions as both an injector and mixer. As will be described inmore detail below, a low-pressure injector design that achievesaggressive mixing of water and injectant has been utilized in apreferred embodiment of the invention. The second operating modeinvolves electrically powered pumps 106 to re-circulate the product inthe injectant bottles 102 to maintain consistent injectant mixture. Thethird and fourth modes augment passive operation of the bathing systemwhere concentrated shampoo or conditioner injectant products are soviscous and sticky that the vacuum induced by injector 310 is inadequateto cause a sufficient quantity of the concentrated product to beinjected into the water stream. The fifth mode recaptures fully dilutedproduct from the tub and after filtering (by a re-circulation filter320), and powered by a re-circulating pump 330, returning such for reusevia check valve pair 340. The operation of each operating mode will bedescribed via the block diagram. In all cases, reference will be made toa bottle subassembly, which in the preferred embodiment incorporatesitems 112, 110, 326, 108, 104, 105, 102, 106 and 220, as appropriate. Aninjectant re-circulating pump subassembly refers to the combination of apump 106 and its powering isolation transformer 220.

All operating modes involve automatic mixing of water and shampoo orconditioner injectants, resulting in an appropriate mixture beingdispensed onto the coat of the animal to be bathed. They also allowrinse water to be dispensed onto the animal's coat. Hot and cold watersources are regulated via independent valves or an optional thermostaticmixing valve to control the temperature of the overall mixture to beapplied to the animal. A separate tepid water flow control valve 120 ispreferred (where such functionality is not incorporated into athermostatic mixing valve) in order to control water flow independent oftemperature. Different size animals (e.g., cats versus dogs) and partsof animals (e.g., faces) require reduced water flow and pressure imposedon the animal during bathing. The invention incorporates a water flowcontrol valve on its input. Locating the valve upstream from the mixerminimizes deviation from the desired product/water mixture ratio as afunction of desired mixture flow rate. An anti siphon (backflowpreventing) check valve 122 prevents the water/injectant mixture fromflowing back into the water supply lines (and thus contaminating such)in the event of a sudden drop in water source pressure. A water sourcefilter 302 traps large particulates in the water source, preventing suchfrom contaminating the balance of the bathing system. Some jurisdictionsrequire bathing systems of any kind to restrict water flow (most oftenconstraining water flow to less than or equal to 9.464 liters per minute(lpm) (2.5 gallons per minute (gpm))) in order to comply with waterconservation regulations. The bathing system according to one embodimentof the present invention provides for use of an orifice implementing aflow restrictor 303 to accommodate such regulatory requirements. As anexample, a water flow rate of about 15.142 lpm (4.0 gpm) or lower (aslow as 5.3 lpm (1.4 gpm) to 4.732 lpm (1.25 gpm)) while maintaining thedesired mixture ratio can be achieved with the bathing system accordingto one embodiment of the invention. Certain choices for a differentialpressure injector 310 can impose adequate natural flow restriction, inwhich case an alternate location for a flow restrictor is shown inparallel to the differential pressure injector 310. The differentialpressure injector 310 operates on the Bernoulli principle (see FIG. 4).

By Bernoulli's equation for steady, nonviscous, incompressible flow, avacuum is created at the injectant port 314 (p₂) based upon the inputpressure (p₁) at the primary inlet 312 and the difference of the squareof the velocities (v₁ and v₂), which is a function of the areas A₁ andA₂, a steady state source of fluid under pressure, and the fluid density(ρ). Strict applicability of this simple equation depends upon severalfactors, including that p₁ is on the order of 10 times or greater thanp₃, the pressure at the outlet 316. When that condition is not met, thevacuum at the injection point ordinarily diminishes precipitously.Therefore, it is beneficial that back pressure seen by the differentialpressure injector 310 be minimized to assure consistent performance.This is not a trivial undertaking. The mixing ratio of injectant tomotive fluid depends also on the difference in density, specificgravity, viscosity and stickiness of the two fluids (motive andinjectant). As will be shown in more detail below, injector design candramatically affect operating efficacy beyond the very simple operatingprinciples described in FIG. 4. While the pressure relationship at lowerp₁ to p₃ ratios generally follows the trend suggested by the simple formof Bernoulli's equation, judicious design of the injector can result inadequate vacuum at the injection point.

Opening Injector Bypass valve 124 (also shown in FIG. 2( b)) reduces thepressure differential to zero (p₁=p₂=p₃), caused by v₂=v₁=0, which, byBernoulli's equation, results in reduction of injectant flow to zero.Therefore, water effectively bypasses the injector 310 resulting in noinjectant being introduced into the water stream. This gives rise to arinsing function, whereas shampooing or conditioning functionalityoccurs with valve 124 closed.

As an example of alternatives to the bypass path that includes theinjector bypass valve 124, a simple shutoff valve (not shown) may beplaced between the distribution manifold 318 and the injector 310.Alternatively, injectants can be shut off by injectant on/off valves 104in the individual injectant supply lines.

Output of the injector 310 includes both the injectant and motive waterflow where the mixture ratio of water to injectant depends upon the manyvariables discussed above. In the case of an open Injector Bypass Valve124, only water exits the assembly. This outflow is introduced into ahose 126 connected to a hand-held shower spray unit 128. This latterunit employs water (and injectant) flow to induce rotary action througha series of gearing that rapidly and repetitively shuts off and turnsback on the water flow, giving rise to a pulsating water flow action.This pulsating action provides a “water/shampoo/conditioner” massageaction to the animal being bathed. This function operates independent ofthe product being dispensed, or water alone during rinse operation. Someexisting bathing systems (those powered by a liquid re-circulating pump)produce a pulsating water/shampoo mixture flow, an unintentionaloperating characteristic of many fluidic pump types. Such pulsatingaction has proven valuable in loosening hair mats during animal bathing.Employing pulsating action during rinsing operations greatly facilitatesrinsing injectant residue from the skin and hair.

The balance of maintaining a relatively constant mixture ratio of waterto injectant over a highly variable flow rate (due to source waterpressure, source supply line size, and the degree valves 118 and 120 maybe open or closed) and back pressure imposed by hose 126 and spray unit128 is a delicate one. The preferred embodiment of the present inventionutilizes a low pressure injector design, such as that used in the MazzeiModel #384 (identified by the manufacturer as being covered by U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,123,800 and 5,863,128, which are hereby incorporated byreference), to (a) maximize consistency of dispensed water to injectantmixture (within about 50% variation in water-to-injectant ratio, i.e.,±25% relative to the mid-point of the mixing ratio range, and morepreferably approximately 13.4:1±13% for injectant density, specificgravity, viscosity and stickiness equal to that for the motive waterflow) over a wide range of water flow rates and pressure; (b) maximizethe aggressiveness (thoroughness) in mixing injectant with motive water,to make the most efficient use of the injectant, without need tointroduce air or other mixing/agitation agents; and (c) to minimize theminimum motive dynamic water pressure required to operate the system(i.e., to inject desired amount of injectant into the motive water)without pressure-increasing water pumps (with the acceptable pressure atthe injector inlet at the lower end of pressure range in commonresidential and commercial water supplies, e.g., 275.790, 206.843, oreven as low as 137.895 kPa (40, 30 or even as low as 20 psi)).

In one embodiment, the water sprayer 128 and injector 310 are configuredto maintain a water-to-injectant ratio to within a range of about 15% ofthe mid-range ratio when the water flow rate is no higher than about15.142 liters per minute (4.0 gallons per minute) and varies over arange of 20% of the mid-range flow rate.

In another embodiment, the water sprayer 128 and injector 310 areconfigured to maintain a water-to-injectant ratio to within a range ofabout 35% of the mid-range ratio when the water flow rate is no higherthan about 15.142 liters per minute (4.0 gallons per minute) and variesover a range of 60% of the mid-range flow rate.

In another embodiment, as illustrated below with reference to Example 1,the water sprayer 128 and injector 310 are configured to maintain awater-to-injectant ratio to within a range of about 15% of the mid-rangeratio when the water flow rate is varied over a range from about 7.192to about 8.706 liters per minute (1.9 to about 2.3 gallons per minute).

In another embodiment, as illustrated below with reference to Example 1,the water sprayer 128 and injector 310 are configured to maintain awater-to-injectant ratio to within a range of about 35% of the mid-rangeratio when the water flow rate is varied over a range from about 5.3 toabout 9.842 liters per minute (1.4 to about 2.6 gallons per minute).

The injector has a constricting portion, a cylindrical injectionportion, and an expanding portion in that order in the direction offlow, with an injector port entering the injection portion. The twistingvanes are formed on the wall of the constricting portion, andstraightening vanes are formed on the wall of the expanding portion. Thetwisting vanes give a rotary component of motion to an outer portion ofthe water stream in the injection portion, and the straightening vanesremove at least some of it in the expanding portion, both to cause morevigorous movement of water and injectant, and improved mixing of thetwo.

This operation depends greatly upon the spray unit 128 employed. Bestperformance has been obtained with a manufacturer-modified version of acommercial shower spray head (Alsons commercial model #465) minimizingback pressure induced by the spray head to not more than 68.948 kPa (10psi), or more preferably 48.263 kPa (7 psi), with injector inletpressure of 137.895 kPa (20 psi) or flow rate of 5.3 lpm (1.4 gpm). Aflow-rate-restricting orifice was removed from the commercial version ofthe spray head to achieve the low back pressure. This combination hasproduced the cited mixing consistency over a dynamic water pressure,measured at the motive flow inlet to the injector, ranging from a low of137.895 kPa (20 psi) (delivering approximately 5.3 lpm (1.4 gpm)) toover 551.58 lkPa (80 psi) (delivering approximately 9.842 lpm (2.6 gpm)at 551.581 kPa (80 psi)). Those skilled in the art will recognize thatother injector/spray units may be used in a manner consistent with theteachings of this invention.

A cross-section of an exemplary differential pressure injector 500 isillustrated in FIG. 5. In the present example, the differential pressureinjector 500 defines a flow passage from the primary inlet 512 to theoutlet 516. The flow passage is defined by a circularly sectioned wallextending along a central axis from the primary inlet 512 to the outlet516. The wall forms a substantially cylindrical entry portion, aconstricting portion 513, a substantially cylindrical injection portion514 and an expanding portion 515. The constricting portion interconnectsthe entry portion and the injection portion 514, and is substantiallyfrusto-conical. The expanding portion 515 joining to the injectionportion 514, and is substantially frusto-conical. The injector portenters the injection portion 514 from the injectant inlet through thewall immediately adjacent to the intersection of the constrictingportion 513 and injection portion 514.

The injector further comprises a system of vanes, including a firstgroup of twisting vanes 518 and a second group of straightening vanes520, on the wall and angularly spaced apart from one another. The firstgroup of twisting vanes 518 is positioned substantially in the entryportion of the injector 500, and the second group of straightening vanes520 is positioned substantially in the expansion portion 515 of theinjector 500. In one embodiment, the first group of twisting vanes 518rise from the wall and have a crest forming an acute angle with a planethat includes the central axis and which passes through the first groupof twisting vanes 518. The crest is radially spaced from the centralaxis. The second group of straightening vanes 520 are angularly spacedapart from one another. Each of the straightening vanes extend along thewall in the expanding portion 515 of the injector 500. The straighteningvanes are parallel to the central axis and have a crest substantiallyparallel to and radially spaced from the central axis of the injector500.

In one embodiment, the invention employs a distribution manifold 318connecting the outputs of a multitude of bottle subassemblies (eachhandling a separate shampoo or conditioner product) to injector 310through check valve 322.

In one embodiment, the invention incorporates a separate injectanton/off control valve 104 for each container 102 of product (injectant)to be dispensed. Each injectant on/off control valve 104 may beindependently actuated. This allows more than one shampoo or conditionerproduct to be introduced at once into the injector-mixer at a time. Byexample, a deodorizing shampoo, such as those typically used foreliminating skunk odor, can be automatically mixed with another shampooin order to reduce odor accumulation near the rear end of a dog duringanal (scent) gland elimination (a common bathing practice). Shampooingof the entire animal for that purpose would not be warranted under theseconditions. Rarely does a bather manually apply a deodorizing shampoo inaddition to ordinary shampoo before or after scent gland elimination.Even more rarely does a professional bather/groomer pre-mix deodorizingshampoos and ordinary shampoos anticipating such a need. Another examplecould include automatic mixing of moisturizing and oatmeal conditionersso to simultaneously treat dry skin and itch. This bathing system canaccommodate dispensing a theoretical unlimited number of products eitherindependently, or automatically mixed together, depending on whichinjectant on/off control valves 104 are open.

Non-opaque storage bottles 102, (e.g., transparent bottles) are used tocontain injectants such as shampoos and conditioner products. When theinjectant on/off control valve 104 is incorporated into each bottle, theconfiguration allows the user to simultaneously see the actual productto be dispensed (e.g., eliminating uncertainty as to what product anactuating valve, or valve position, might dispense) and to ascertainthat adequate product is available for dispensing (i.e., is the bottleadequately full instead of near empty).

In FIGS. 3( a) and 3(b), a 35 US Mesh filter 105 is employed to preventparticles larger than 500 microns from being introduced into thedifferential injector injectant port, possibly blocking such.

Embodiments of the present invention are designed to accommodate thevast majority of over 500 animal shampoo and conditioner products on themarket. Some of these products are so thick, viscous, and sticky inconcentrated form that some pre-dilution, within storage bottle 102, isrequired in order to permit the passive operating mode to work. Someproducts require more dilution (e.g., 35:1) than the nominal 13:1automated by the system, also requiring pre-dilution of productintroduced into injectant storage bottles 102. A few products are verythin and runny and/or require final mixture ratios less than the nominal13:1 provided by automated passive system operation. It should be notedthat one benefit of various embodiments of the invention is that theaggressive mixing by the injector results in much more economical use ofthe injectants than typically achieved in conventional bathing. Thushigher mixing ratios than those recommended by the injectantmanufacturers can be used. Although the ratio 13:1 has been used hereinas an example, other, higher ratios can be achieved and satisfactorilyused for animal bathing. An optional needle valve 108 is available foreach bottle subassembly in order to help accommodate user needs indealing with the vast array of product properties, desired mixtureratios, and pre-dilution options. Users control the desired mixtureratio first by controlling the pre-dilution of the product in dispensingbottles 102. Users are instructed to adjust pre-dilution as necessary toassure passive system operation. Then, the optional needle valves 108are available to provide another means to control the ultimate mixtureratio independent of the pre-dilution that may be required to assurepassive operation.

Quick disconnects (110 and 210) and a flexible connecting hose 112 allowthe user to easily remove a bottle subassembly from its shelf forcleaning or for refilling. The flexible hose 112 also allows use ofsimple plumbing “Ts” to expand the system to accommodate more productsthan the system is nominally designed to accommodate, as may be limitedby the number of ports built into the distribution manifold 318 or frontpanel real estate practicably limiting the number of bulkhead quickdisconnects 210. In this fashion, the system can handle nearly anunlimited number of products to be dispensed. As a practical limit, eachshelf is designed to accommodate up to 11 different bottlesubassemblies, and hence products. A free standing system of threeshelves, therefore, could easily handle 33 different products, eachcontained in a separate bottle subassembly, yet with only 6 to 8manifold ports and bulkhead quick disconnects 210.

Operating Mode 2: Motorized Mixing of Pre-Mixed Shampoo.

Two issues surround dealing with pre-mixing of shampoo and conditionerconcentrates. The first is the labor required to measure product andwater into a single container and vigorous shaking of such container toevenly mix the ingredients. The second, far lesser known issue is thatmany of the >500 shampoo and conditioner products will not go into andstay in solution when diluted. Therefore, product constituents tend toprecipitate or separate, creating product stratification within thecontainer otherwise believed to contain evenly distributed solute. Inone embodiment, the present invention introduces an optional agitator,such as an electric motorized pump 106, to continuously re-circulateingredients in each injectant dispensing bottle 102, as desired ornecessary. While this feature doesn't affect measurement of ingredientsintroduced into a particular bottle, it does eliminate any need to shakesuch bottle to mix the ingredients. Therefore, product and water can bemeasured directly into a pump-equipped dispensing bottle 102. Nosubsequent manual agitation is required. More importantly, thisfunctionality assures proper mixture (dilution) of the ingredientsdispensed to the injector, independent of the amount of productcontained in the injectant dispensing bottle 102. Best results have beenfound employing a small submersible pump 106 manufactured by TGI ofChina and designed for continuous operation. The pump 106 is permanentlycemented into the inside bottom of the injectant dispensing bottle 102using an adhesive compatible with the bottle and pump motor bodymaterials, and compatible with total immersion in water plus shampoo andconditioner products. As an added safety benefit, the pump 106 operateson 24 VAC, allowing some distance to be maintained between line voltage(120 VAC) and the bathing system plumbing. A step down isolationtransformer 220 remotely provides the 24 VAC power from the linevoltage. Although not shown, a single transformer capable of providingadequate current could power multiple pump-equipped bottles, eliminatingthe need for numerous separate transformers.

Other types of agitators can also be used for ensuring proper mixing ofwater and injectant in a dispensing bottle 102. As an example, amotor-driven mixing paddle or blade can be placed inside the dispensingbottle 102, with the motor located outside the bottle 102. As anotherexample, a magnetic stirrer can be used. A magnetic stirrer includes astirring bar comprising of a magnet that can also be sealed inside acoating of an inert material such as Teflon®, and a stirring bar driver,which produces a rotating magnetic field. The stirring bar can be placedinside the dispensing bottle 102, and the stirring bar driver outsidethe dispensing bottle 102. The stirring bar is set in motion by themagnetic field produced by the driver, thereby mixing the injectant inthe bottle 102. For injectants that require stirring with more powerfulre-circulation pumps, pumps located outside the dispensing bottles 102can be used, with inlet and outlet hoses extending to, or into, thedispensing bottles 102. Ultrasonic agitation (e.g., placing an injectantdispenser under the influence of an ultrasonic acoustic emitter) canalso be used.

Operating Mode 3: Fluidic Pump Assistance.

Some users may wish not to pre-dilute their products, preferring insteadto use only concentrated shampoo and conditioners with the bathingsystem. As previously indicated, specific gravity, density, viscosityand stickiness properties of certain concentrates may preclude passiveoperation. An optional motorized pump 324 can overcome these adverseconcentrate properties. Concentrate only is introduced into each bottle102. Pumps 324 could operate continuously, or preferably be switched onand off in concert with injectant on/off valve 104. Alternatively, apump 324 incorporating an electrically driven valve can eliminate anyneed for the separate manually operated on/off injectant valve 104. Thehydraulic pressure (and suction) induced by pump 324 overcomes productphysical properties and provides a pressure assistance to the functionof the differential pressure injector 310. Regulation of concentrateflow (and ultimate dispensed product mixture ratio) is accomplishedthrough sizing pump 324, electrically controlled variable pump speed,and/or use of an optional needle valve 108, or more preferably apressure regulator (not shown).

As illustrated in FIG. 3( b), check valves 362 can be used to preventthe injector 310 from pulling air from the top of the dispensing bottles102; and valves 364 can be used at individual dispensing bottles 102 tocontrol the amount of injectant re-circulated via pumps 324 throughdispensing bottles 102, both to maintain injectant uniformity and toprevent zero flow “dead head” conditions that can be detrimental topumps 324 when operated with injectant on/off valves 368 closed. Thus,pump 324 can be used to both aid the injectant flow to the injector 310and re-circulate the injectant in the bottle. Check valve 362, which mayalternatively be located up or downstream in a bottle subassembly fromthat illustrated in FIG. 3( b), precludes cross contamination betweenbottle subassemblies due to different injectant pressures introducedinto manifold 318.

A variety of pumps can be used in this application, including linearpumps (commonly used for carbonated beverage syrup pressurization anddelivery in vending machines), peristaltic, and other types.

The bathing system can be further extended to total automatic,electronic control. This is discussed below.

Operating Mode 4: Air Pressure Assistance.

An alternative can achieve many of the same attributes of Operating Mode3, above. Air pressure can be introduced into the top of dispensingbottle 102, providing hydrostatic pressure to the contained injectant,in lieu of a fluidic motor 324. This alternative offers the advantage ofpotentially lower cost if a large number of bottle subassemblies demandpressure augmentation. A single source of air pressure can be sharedacross all bottle subassemblies (even multiple bathing systems). Aseparate pressure regulator 328 is preferred for each bottlesubassembly, so to control mixture ratio for each product. Check valve362 is still needed for the same reasons described above.

Operating Mode 5: Re-Circulating Totally Mixed Product.

In one embodiment, the invention accommodates optional re-circulatingaction via incorporating a re-circulating pump 330 outside the tub 116and check valve pair 340. Re-circulating pump 330 speed can also becontrolled. This operating mode allows otherwise passive or activeoperation of the remaining portions of the bathing system to initiallydispense product on the animal, effectively retaining fully mixedproduct in the tub. Once adequate product is available in the tub (116;less than required for operation of a sump pump), re-circulating motor330 can take over and re-circulate that product. This providesshampoo/conditioner product savings. Indeed, both non-re-circulating andre-circulating operation can be simultaneously achieved, compensatingfor the amount of product adhering to the animal being bathed and notrunning off into the tub 116.

The re-circulation filter 320 can be located at the tub 116, as shown inFIG. 3( a), or any other location along the re-circulation path betweenthe tub 116 and the spray unit 128. The optional filter 320 preferablyhas appropriate porosity to trap at least a large proportion of thedebris (e.g., dirt, animal hair, skin cell, dander and parasites) washedaway from the animal in the bathing process but pass through mostinjectants mixed in the bathing water.

A more detailed diagram of an embodiment of the invention isschematically illustrated in FIG. 3( b). The bathing system 350 issimilar to the simplified schematic block diagram illustrated in FIG. 3(a), but supports additional injectant lines, at least one additionaldistribution manifold (not shown) and at least one additional injector(not shown) so that the same bank of stored injectants can be used tosupply one or more additional washing stations. Additional featuresinclude separate filters 320 and 352 in the re-circulating line, with acoarse filter 320 positioned upstream from the pump 330 to trap largeparticles in order to protect the pump 330. A fine, biologic filter 352has a effective mesh size of under 100 microns to as small as about amicron and is designed to pass most injectant constituents, but notbiologic materials such as skin cells, dander and bacteria. Filter 352can also include a disinfecting unit, employing heat, UV radiation orother means to sterilize biological matter not otherwise trapped by thefilter 352.

In addition to, or instead of the pumps 324 in FIG. 3( a), the system inFIG. 3( b) can employ a pump 354 for assisting injectant flow toward theinjector 310. In conjunction with the pump 354, a regulator 356 with afixed or variable orifice (such as a needle valve) 358 can be used tofurther steady the flow rate of injectant and maintain negative pressureat the injectant inlet of the injector 310. A flow rate or waterpressure sensor 360 can also be employed to control the regulator 354,thereby controlling the mixing ratio. It is possible to eliminate thedifferential pressure injector 310 altogether, substituting anon-differential pressure injector (such as a passive mixer fed from twoor more mixing pumps) instead. Indeed, flow meters (illustrated in FIG.3( b)) can be introduced at the water flow and injectant inputs to anysuitable mixer (differential pressure or not) to provide sensing for anelectronic control system governing speed of pumps 324 and/or 354. Thisfunctionality would allow computerized control, and highly consistentmaintenance of water/injectant mixture ratios, virtually independent ofinlet water pressure and injectant physical properties. Even with thispump augmentation (with or without control system), use of adifferential pressure injector (in lieu of any other type design) offersthe advantage of using both motorized pump and passive bottlesubassemblies in the same bathing system. It should be noted that asensor-controlled regulator is particularly useful, even necessary in abathing system where the injector is not of a differential-pressuretype. Other components can be included as the performance requires.

Other features of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3( b) include a sightglass 366, which can be as simple as a segment of non-opaque tubing, ineach injectant supply line leading to the distribution manifold 318.Such sight glasses enables a user to ascertain the availability andidentity of particular injectants to the injector 310 without requiringthe dispensing bottles 102 themselves to be non-opaque or visible to theuser. Sensors, such as float mechanisms or weighing mechanisms, can beplaced at the dispensing bottles 102 to facilitate indication (forexample, by warning lights or sounds) of availability (or lack thereof)of injectants in the dispensing bottles 102.

Also included in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3( b) are injectant on/offvalves 368 placed along the individual injectant supply lines. Thesevalves allow a user to conveniently select subsets of the availableinjectants to suit particular tasks.

Automated Operation.

The present invention is described herein with the intent of maintaininga balance between economy of equipment, ease of operation, efficacy andefficiency in mixing and dispensing products, and general reduction inbathing time. A more automated bathing system is also contemplated,potentially increasing ease of use, but at higher equipment cost. Inthis case, valves 120, 124, and 104 are all electrically controlled.Pumps 324 and 330 incorporate electronically controlled variable speed.Manual (electric) pushbutton controls can even be integrated into thehand held unit 128, providing complete control by one hand, similar tothe way a bar beverage dispenser wand operates. Dispense vs. Rinse vs.Re-circulate functions could be selected as well as system on/off.Product dispensing could also be selected. Mixture ratios could bemaintained via means discussed above. Mixture flow rates out of thehand-held unit 128 could also be controlled at the hand-held unit (byelectrically controlling valve 120 and pump motor 330 speed).

EXAMPLES

1. A bathing system of the invention was tested with a wide range ofinjector inlet water pressure. Using also water as an injectant, theflow rate and injectant mixing ratio was measured. The results arelisted in Table I below.

TABLE I Flow Rate and Mixing Ratio vs. Inlet Pressure Mazzei Model #384With Alson (with massage) inlet outlet motive flow suction (water)motive:suction kPa (psi) kPa (psi) lpm (gpm) lph (gph) lpm (gpm) lph(gph) ratio 551.58 (80) 151.69 (22) 9.84 (2.6) 590 (156) 0.65 (0.17)38.99 (10.3) 15.10:1 482.63 (70) 137.89 (20) 9.27  (2.45) 556 (147) 0.64(0.17) 38.61 (10.2) 14.40:1 413.69 (60) 117.21 (17) 8.63  (2.28) 518(137) 0.64 (0.17) 38.61 (10.2) 13.40:1 344.74 (50) 96.93 (14) 7.95 (2.1)477 (126) 0.63 (0.17) 37.85 (10)   12.60:1 310.26 (45) 89.63 (13) 7.57(2)   454 (120) 0.63 (0.17) 37.85 (10)   12.00:1 275.79 (40) 82.74 (12)7.19 (1.9) 431 (114) 0.63 (0.17) 37.85 (10)   11.40:1 241.32 (35) 75.84(11) 6.74  (1.78) 404 (107) 0.6  (0.16) 35.96 (9.5)  11.20:1 206.84 (30)68.95 (10) 6.25  (1.65) 375  (99) 0.52 (0.14) 31.04 (8.2)  12.10:1172.37 (25) 62.05  (9) 5.68 (1.5) 341  (90) 0.38 (0.1)  22.71 (6)  15.00:1 137.89 (20) 48.26  (7) 5.30 (1.4) 318  (84) 0.45 (0.12) 27.26(7.2)  11.70:1 Average 13.40:1

2. A bathing system of the invention has been tested using a widevariety of animal bathing products, including those listed below.Consistent mixing with water under a wide range of motive waterpressures has been achieved.

-   -   Bio-Groom's Econo-Groom, Super Blue Plus, Natural Oatmeal,        So-Gentle Hypo-Allergenic shampoos & Silk Creme, Natural Oatmeal        Anti-Itch Creme Rinses;    -   Tomlyn's Nova Pearls and Pro-35 shampoos;    -   Tropiclean's Berry Clean, Neem Citrus, Oatmeal & Tea Tree        shampoos;    -   Nature's Specialties shampoos and conditioners;    -   Best Shot shampoos and conditioners;    -   Coat Handler shampoos and conditioners;    -   Le Pooches products; and    -   Mensa Product's Veterinary Formula products.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as theinvention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalentmanners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of theteachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to thedetails of construction or design herein shown, other than as describedin the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particularembodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all suchvariations are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention.Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claimsbelow.

1. A bathing system for projecting a mixture of water and at least oneinjectant onto an object for washing the object, the system comprising:(a) a first injectant dispenser for storing an injectant; (b) a watersprayer having an inlet and outlet; and (c) an injector having a primaryinlet in fluid communication to a water source, an outlet in fluidcommunication to the inlet of the water sprayer, and an injectant inletin fluid communication with the first injectant dispenser, whereby theinjectant can be introduced into the water flowing through the injector,the water sprayer and injector maintaining a water-to-injectant ratio towithin a range of about a 50% variation of a midpoint of a mixing ratiorange associated with the injectant when water flow rate is no higherthan about 4.0 gallons per minute and varies over a range of 20% of amidpoint of a range associated with the water flow rate.
 2. The bathingsystem of claim 1, wherein the injector comprises a differentialpressure injector.
 3. The bathing system of claim 2, wherein the watersprayer and injector maintain a water-to-injectant ratio to within arange of about a 15% variation of the midpoint of the mixing ratio rangeassociated with the injectant when water flow rate is no higher thanabout 4.0 gallons per minute and varies over a range of 20% of themidpoint of the range associated with the water flow rate.
 4. Thebathing system of claim 3, wherein the water sprayer and injectormaintain a water-to-injectant ratio to within a range of about a 15%variation of the midpoint of the mixing ratio range associated with theinjectant when the water flow rate is varied over a range from about 1.9to about 2.3 gallons per minute.
 5. The bathing system of claim 4,wherein the water sprayer and injector maintain a water-to-injectantratio to within a range of about a 35% variation of the midpoint of themixing ratio range associated with the injectant when the water flowrate is varied over a range from about 1.4 to about 2.6 gallons perminute.
 6. The bathing system of claim 2, wherein the water sprayer andinjector maintain a water-to-injectant ratio to within a range of abouta 35% variation of the midpoint of the mixing ratio range associatedwith the injectant water flow rate is no higher than about 4.0 gallonsper minute and varies over a range of 60% of the midpoint of the rangeassociated with the water flow rate.
 7. The bathing system of claim 2,wherein the water sprayer is configured to produce a back pressure of nohigher than about half of the water pressure at the inlet of theinjector.
 8. The bathing system of claim 7, wherein the water sprayer isconfigured to produce a back pressure of no higher than about 10 psiwhen the flow rate through the water sprayer is 1.4 gallons per minute.9. The bathing system of claim 7, wherein the water sprayer comprises apulsating-action sprayer.
 10. The bathing system of claim 9, wherein thewater sprayer is configured to produce a pulsating action using themixture being projected.
 11. The bathing system of claim 2, wherein theinjectant dispenser includes at least a non-opaque portion through whichthe amount of the injectant stored in the dispenser can be visuallyinspected from outside.
 12. The bathing system of claim 2, furthercomprising an indicator showing the availability of the injectant to theinjector.
 13. The bathing system of claim 12, wherein the indicatorcomprises a non-opaque portion of an injectant passageway in fluidcommunication with the dispenser and the injectant inlet of theinjector.
 14. The bathing system of claim 2, wherein the water sprayercomprises a pulsating-action sprayer.
 15. The bathing system of claim 2,further comprising: a second injectant dispenser for storing a secondinjectant; and a manifold having intake ports in respective fluidcommunication with the first and second dispensers and an output port influid communication with the injectant inlet of the injector forsupplying the first and second injectants to the injector.
 16. Thebathing system of claim 15, further comprising at least one valve forselecting one or both of the first and second injectants to supply tothe injector.
 17. The bathing system of claim 2, frirther comprising: anadditional water sprayer having an inlet and outlet; and an additionalinjector having a primary inlet in fluid communication to a watersource, an outlet in fluid communication to the inlet of the additionalwater sprayer, and an injectant inlet in fluid communication with thefirst injectant dispenser, whereby the injectant in the first dispensercan be introduced into the water flowing through both injectors andwater sprayers.
 18. The bathing system of claim 2, further comprising apump for aiding the flow of the injectant to the injector.
 19. Thebathing system of claim 1, wherein the injector comprises a passivemixer.
 20. A bathing system for projecting a mixture of water and atleast one injectant onto an object for washing the object, the systemcomprising: (a) a first injectant dispenser for storing the injectant;(b) a water sprayer having an inlet and outlet; and (c) an injectorhaving a primary inlet in fluid communication to a water source, anoutlet in fluid communication to the inlet of the water sprayer, and aninjectant inlet in fluid communication with the injectant dispenser,whereby the injectant can be introduced into the water flowing throughthe injector, the water sprayer and injector maintaining awater-to-injectant ratio to within a range of about a 50% variation of amidpoint of a mixing ratio range associated with the injectant when thepressure at the primary inlet of the injector is varied over a range ofat least about 40% of a midpoint of a range associated with thepressure.
 21. The bathing system of claim 20, wherein the water sprayerand injector maintain a water-to-injectant ratio to within a range ofabout a 50% variation of the midpoint of the mixing ratio rangeassociated with the injectant when the pressure at the primary inlet ofthe injector is varied from about 40 to 60 psi.
 22. The bathing systemof claim 21, wherein the water sprayer and injector maintain awater-to-injectant ratio to within a range of about a 50% variation ofthe midpoint of the mixing ratio range associated with the injectantwhen the pressure at the primary inlet of the injector is varied fromabout 20 to 80 psi.
 23. A bathing system for projecting a mixture ofwater and at least one injectant onto an object for washing the object,the system comprising: (a) a first injectant dispenser for storing theinjectant; (b) at least one water sprayer having an inlet and outlet;and (c) at least one injector having a primary inlet in fluidcommunication to a water source, an outlet in fluid communication to theinlet of the at least one water sprayer, and an injectant inlet in fluidcommunication with the injectant dispenser, whereby the injectant can beintroduced into the water flowing through the injector, the watersprayer and injector maintaining a water-to-injectant ratio to within arange of about a 50% variation of a midpoint of a mixing ratio rangeassociated with the injectant when water flow rate is no higher thanabout 4.0 gallons per minute and varies over a range of 20% of amidpoint of a range associated with the water flow rate by limiting backpressure induced by the water sprayer to no more than about 10 poundsper square inch and creating either (i) an inlet pressure to theinjector of about 20 pounds per square inch or (ii) water flow rate intothe injector of about 1.4 gallons per minute.